Part 3: PSG and AS Monaco: Transfer Central: Midfielders

Here is the third part of today’s breakdown of the summer transfer windows that AS Monaco and PSG are likely to have:

PSG and Eden Hazard- A long story:

France Football has uncovered that in 2011, PSG made a €32m plus Mevlut Erding offer for Eden Hazard who was at Lille at the time. However, PSG were advised by Leonardo to sign Javier Pastore instead. However, Chelsea would be asking for in excess of €100m, something that even PSG are extraordinarily unlikely to want to pay, with breaching of fair play allegations looming over their heads.

Marco Reus?

The player has a buy-out clause of €35m but has never expressed an interest in joining PSG before. His contract situation is such that it makes him a plausible target for Les Parisiens but there is no history of negotiations like with Eden Hazard.

Miralem Pjanic and Javier Pastore- a sort of swap?

Pjanic was heavily targeted by PSG in January of this year and the club may return for him as they look to secure the services of an attacking midfielder this summer. Javier Pastore, who is often linked with AS Roma, and appreciated by their Sporting Director Walter Sabatini, may sweeten the deal somewhat for ASR manager Rudi Garcia. There is however no indication that Pastore wishes to leave and some believe his career with the Ligue 1 champions may be revived thanks to his wonder goal vs Chelsea in their Champions League 1st leg encounter. Again, a substantial amount of ground will have to be made to get any sort of the aforementioned deal occurring in a couple of months’ time.

Antoine Griezmann- realistic:

Spanish media outlets have already claimed that a deal for Real Sociedad to sell their prized Frenchman to PSG this summer is agreed, something that the player in question has however denied. Having said this, Griezmann has admitted to being interested in a move to PSG and the club’s representatives are said to really appreciate the player’s quality. Real Sociedad do not have the bargaining power that some of the other clubs have in terms of where PSG’s targets lie and this would be one of the more straightforward targets for the Champions League quarter-finalists to pursue this summer.

Jérémy Ménez out:

France Football insist that PSG’s attacking midfielder Jérémy Ménez will not be extending his contract and will therefore be leaving this summer for free. With prior experience in Italy, the magazine cites AS Roma, AC Milan and Fiorentina as interested parties.

Adrien Rabiot has a decision to make:

PSG’s 19 year old central midfield wonder-kid Adrien Rabiot has get to accept the club’s contract extension offer which he received nearly a month ago now. His current deal runs until 2015 and he is seeking assurances of game-time. The arrival of another central midfielder at the club would probably force the Frenchman out. Chelsea remain admirers of the youngster who has had played little since the turn of the year.

Clement Chantôme will not be returning:

PSG have no intention of keeping the central midfielder when he returns from his season-long loan spell with Toulouse, say France Football. Premier League side Everton were long-term admirers of the player and considered making an offer last summer. David Moyes was impressed with him before he moved on to Manchester United and it is however unclear if new manager Roberto Martinez shares that same degree of interest in the player. Lyon and St Étienne are also keeping an eye on the situation, but the player will have to accept a salary deduction if he makes this move. Toulouse would love to sign the player permanently, but Chantôme is looking for a side with continental football.

Paul Pogba-PSG: talks continue:

Despite various people indicating the contrary, PSG representatives have been in talks with Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola about moving the Frenchman to the French capital this summer. Pogba has refused to talk about a contract extension with Juventus, despite numerous attempts by the club to begin the necessary negotiations say France Football. The magazine is adamant that if Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva want the player to join, then PSG President Nasser Al Khelaifi will make it happen. Juventus are not understood to be against the move with the deal likely to cost €45m including bonuses.

Monaco- targets undefined:

France Football believes that AS Monaco will be looking to sign a defensive midfielder this summer to replace an ageing Jeremy Toulalan but will wait until they have settled on which manager will take the club into next season before settling on exact targets.